The Neural Control of Fish Swimming Studied Through Numerical Simulations

Abstract

The neuronal generation of vertebrate locomotion has been extensively studied in the lamprey. Computer simulations of this system have been carried out with different aims and with different techniques. ln this article, we review some of these simulations, particularly those leading toward models that describe the interaction that occurs between the neuronal system and its mechanical environment during swimming. Here we extend these models, enabling two new experiments to be conducted. The first one addresses the role of sensory feedback by exposing the neuromechanical system to unexpected perturbations. The second one tests the validity of an earlier proposed hypothesis for the neural generation of three-dimensional (3D) steering by coupling this central pattern generator to a mechanical 3D simulation.